What are Safety Data Sheets?

Safety Data Sheets are documents providing important information about hazardous chemicals. Each hazardous chemical has its own individual Safety Data Sheet.

The chemical’s manufacturer or importer is responsible for acquiring or developing the Safety Data Sheet, and the distributor is responsible for ensuring customers receive it. Once the chemical arrives at the business that will use it, the employer is responsible for ensuring Safety Data Sheets are available to all employees who might be exposed to hazardous chemicals as part of their job.

Safety Data Sheets can be kept as hardcopies or as digital files. If Safety Data Sheets are hardcopies, they should be kept together in a binder in a central location. If Safety Data Sheets are digital files, a way of accessing the files must be in a central location and a back-up power system should be in place in case of a power outage.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) convey critical information about hazardous chemicals in the workplace:

1. Content of SDS: Each hazardous chemical must have its own SDS, which includes essential information such as the chemical's properties, physical, health, and environmental hazards it poses, protective measures, and safety precautions for shipping, handling, and storing. This information is crucial for ensuring the safe handling and use of the chemical in the workplace.

2. Responsibilities of Manufacturer or Importer: The manufacturer or importer of the chemical is responsible for acquiring or developing the SDS and ensuring its accuracy and completeness. They must provide the SDS to distributors and downstream users.

3. Responsibilities of Distributor: The distributor is responsible for ensuring that customers receive the appropriate SDS for the hazardous chemicals they purchase. This ensures that end-users have access to vital safety information.

4. Employer's Responsibility: Once the hazardous chemical arrives at the workplace, the employer is responsible for ensuring that SDSs are readily available to all employees who may be exposed to the chemicals as part of their job duties. This includes maintaining SDSs in either hardcopy or digital format.

5. Storage of SDS: If SDSs are kept as hardcopies, they should be organized in a binder and stored in a central location where employees can easily access them. If SDSs are stored digitally, employers must ensure that there is a centralized system for accessing the files, and backup power systems should be in place to prevent loss of access during power outages.

By adhering to these guidelines, employers can ensure that employees have access to critical safety information regarding hazardous chemicals in the workplace, thereby promoting a safer working environment and minimizing the risk of chemical-related incidents or injuries.